Characteristics of Mirabilis jalapa Nanoemulsion: Its Application on Mortality and Morphological Changes of Spodoptera frugiperda: Third Instar Larvae

Abstract

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Previously the &lt;i&gt;Mirabilis jalapa&lt;/i&gt; nanoemulsion formulations was characterized through PSA analysis, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, SEM to observe the morphology of the formed nanoemulsion and FTIR analysis. But, this study aims to characterize &lt;i&gt;M. jalapa&lt;/i&gt; nanoemulsion formulations and its application on the mortality and morphology of 3rd instar &lt;i&gt;Spodoptera frugiperda&lt;/i&gt; larva. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; Several &lt;i&gt;M. jalapa&lt;/i&gt; nanoemulsion formulations were applied to observe the mortality of 3rd instar &lt;i&gt;S. frugiperda&lt;/i&gt; larvae using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method. The best formulation was tested from the characterization results to determine the level of larval mortality. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's &lt;i&gt;post hoc&lt;/i&gt; test. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The 3rd instar &lt;i&gt;S. frugiperda&lt;/i&gt; larvae showed a 67%±12 mortality rate 48 hrs after the 5th treatment (T5) application compared to the control group and causing the bodies of insects experiencing mortality to turn black and dehydrated. The results showed that &lt;i&gt;M. jalapa&lt;/i&gt; nanoemulsion had a significant effect (p-value 0.016<0.05). &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The potential of using &lt;i&gt;M. jalapa&lt;/i&gt; in the form of nanoemulsions as an effective alternative to control the pest &lt;i&gt;S. frugiperda&lt;/i&gt;.

Keywords: Mirabilis jalapa; Spodoptera frugiperda; morphological changes larvae; mortality; nanoemulsion.